Department of Labor offers $30M in grants for work-release programs

The U.S. Department of Labor is offering $30 million in grants to agencies that help men and women on prison work-release become productive members of society.

The Training to Work—Adult Reentry program offers 15 competitive grants of up to $2 million to agencies in areas with high poverty and high crime rates, including communities that have a high rate of recidivism, or those who return to prison. This is the second round of the program.

“We are a nation that believes in second chances,” U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez said in a news release. “Investing in the job skills of individuals while they are in work-release programs helps them to find work and more quickly reconnect with and contribute to their communities.”

In their grant proposals, applicants will have to provide examples of case management; mentoring services; educational opportunities; training that leads to industry-recognized credentials; workforce activities; and follow-up services.

The department looks favorably on organizations that use career pathway models — programs that focus on education and training that will provide to formerly incarcerated person skills or credentials that would lead to employment.

Any nonprofit that meets the requirements may apply, according to the release. Sign up online at www.grants.gov.